09/27/2009: "The Superintendent’s Report"

((L-R): Carla MacDiarmid, Mike Erickson, Khris DayVincent, Becky Nash, Mary Elford -SJISD photo)

By Walt Wegener

As you all know, school is open! All our major maintenance projects are done, including the Elementary roof work and the High School field sprinkler system. The maintenance staff has done a fabulous job transforming the chaos of summer cleaning into the bright shine and preparations of new classrooms for our students.

Moving the 6th grade to the Elementary has set in motion a full set of internal team considerations and modifications to both process and instruction. Seeing our first days it is clear that our highly professional staff members are taking the ‘scare’ out of the move and we are making great strides forward this year.

The Fair was great and many folks came by to say “Hi” and see the student work and just chat a spell. As a new Superintendent it has been my pleasure to work with the Board and administrative team respecting the course we are on, aiming toward instructional improvements, keeping the great relationship with the community and, of course, maintaining a watchful eye on the budget to keep us fiscally on track.

Fiscally, it is appropriate to mention the very difficult district-wide reductions caused by the State’s funding reductions. First, teaching positions were lost. And, we lost classified support personnel including para-educators, clerical, cooks, drivers, maintenance, grounds and custodians as well as reduced administration at both the building and district levels. We are leaner but committed to a safe and nurturing learning environment for our students; our first and paramount priority.

Our co-curricular activities: football, volleyball, soccer and tennis supported this fall by donations are in full swing, with over 100 students engaged in health, fitness and leadership opportunities on the field. The band is ready and our beginning of the year process has been positive and productive.

Our emphasis this year is to make the learning experience for all our students as rich as it can be; students and staff are working together to make their time together as productive, collaborative, cooperative and effective.

We are fortunate to have our great “new concept” lunch and breakfast program back again this year. Which is a perfect segue to remind families and students: nutrition and sleep are part of the formula for learning success; in the family, good nutrition and steady sleeping habits are key elements to improved student behavior, attendance and learning.

A general note of interest to the schools, the week of September 28th through October 2nd is bus ridership count week, an important element of funding for us.

My wife and I are so happy to be here and have found the people and community to be so remarkably supportive and positive. We are looking forward to being active members of the community and can’t even come close to expressing how happy we are to be here, in this magnificent marvelous place.

Thank you for your greetings and for your kindness.

(Walt Wegener is the San Juan Island School District Superintendent of Schools)